Pesticides could threaten West Coast salmon

Federal tests show that three common herbicides could be harmful to threatened West Coast salmon populations, according to a report from the Associated Press.

NOAA fisheries service tested oryzalin, pendimenthalin and trifluralin, herbicides that see heaviest use in California on crops, road shoulders and lawns. Possible effects of the pesticides include salmon deformities, harm to aquatic plants important for salmon habitat and harm to aquatic insects that salmon eat.

Agriculture industry representatives advocated against restrictions on the pesticides because they have only been found in the environment at levels well below what is considered safe.